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The White House today hosted a summit to mark the first federal Maternal Health Day of Action. The summit highlighted  the federal government is taking to reduce maternal mortality and morbidity. 

In a statement, AHA Executive Vice President Stacey Hughes said, “America’s hospitals and health systems are committed to providing the best possible care for all women, including pregnant women, new mothers and their babies, and to amplifying the voices of women of color who are disproportionately affected by maternal morbidity and mortality. Today, the ���������� Association applauds the White House, Representatives Lauren Underwood and Alma Adams, and the Black Maternal Health Caucus for their leadership in addressing the gaps in health care access, coverage, and workforce that contribute to disparities in maternal health outcomes.

“The AHA is pleased that several key provisions to advance equitable maternal health are moving forward in Congress, including extending Medicaid and CHIP coverage for one year postpartum, strengthening federal maternal health programs, bolstering research efforts, addressing behavioral health needs, promoting cultural competency training, growing and diversifying the perinatal work force, and confronting the societal factors that influence health.   

“Our members proudly stand with you in this unprecedented federal effort to improve the health of the nation’s mothers and babies.”   

To learn about AHA’s maternal and child health efforts, visit the AHA website.